Box-fastener



UNITED STATES PATENT 'OFFIcE.

MORRIS MAYER,,OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

BOX-F'ASTENER'.

SPEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 255,313, dated March 2], 1862.

Application filed January 27, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom at may concern Be it known that I MORRIS MAYER, a citizen ot' the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and-useful Improvements in Box-Fastenings, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to a method and means of constructing and fastening and sealing boxes or packages of merchandise, so as to deteet whether the contents have been tampered with; and the novelty consists in the construction, arrangement, and adaptation of parts, as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, and specifically pointed out in the claim.

The device is intended for especial service in the transportation of boxes of bottled beer, ale, or the like; but it is obvious that it may be employed with equal efliciency in other relations. g

It frequently occurs that the boxes of beer are tampered with by mischievous or evil-disposed persons; and the object of the invention is to make such'tampering so obvious and apparent as tobe readily detected-a result which will prevent its occurrence in ordinary eases. To this end I provide a metal plate, preferably of from one-fourth to one-half inch thickness, with countersunk screw-holes near each end. This plate is secured in the upper edge of the'front wall of the box in such a manner that its upper surface is flush with the plane. of the upper edge of said w ll. At or near the center of the plate is a tireaded hole, the threads of which form a bearing the entire thickness of the plate, said hole being adapted to receive a threaded rod or screw which passes through the hinged lid or cover near the free edge, and the head of which is sunk below the plane of the upper surface of S.ll(l cover, in orderthat melted wax or the like may be applied in the orifice thus lef the demoli' tion of which will determine that the box has been tampered with.

It will be understood that the cover may not be hinged, if desired.

The metal plate A serves a very importantfunction in preventing the splitting of the edge of the box, which is apt to occur from frequent use, and allows the box to be used a great length of time.

d is a ring struck up of sheet metal, and adapted to fit loosely in the countersink d for the head of the screw-bolt D. It requires no means other than the head of the bolt D to fasten it in place, while at the same time forming a lining for the said countersink, to prevent the sinking or cutting into the wood having the countersink of the bolt-head, and to facilitatethe removal of the sealing material.

What I claim as new is In a box-fastener, the plate A, having countersunk screw-holes a and threaded central aperture, 13, secured to the front wall,(), of the box, as shown, and the headed and threaded bolt D,constructed and combined to serve with the hinged cover E, having countersunk aperture d and ring (1, adapted to receive sealing material, as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signaturein presence of two witnesses.

MORRIS MAYER.

\Vitnesses:

ABRAHAM GUMBLE, AARON WISE. 

